That was M81 you were smelling Tom. Thank goodness you came by and stopped me before I frictionized a hole right through the middle of it!

Tom got to stand there and watch as I tried to hone in on M97/M108, but I kept banging the base of the OTA into the tripod legs. (You see, it takes three-dimensional thinking to realize the tube can be zoinked way up out of balance if something is hiding in the tripod shadow...but I had to wait for my audience to leave before I realized that.)

Thanks Jules!

Jake, thanks. Item 18 sounds like something I would really like to read about, and see the results when you get to it. A long, high-latitude winter night should make it possible, although potentially life-threatening. What made you choose 250 as the number of objects?

First, I have to get a clear, Moonless sky. A rarity here at the moment!It's something for later in the year, I think; I am off to South East Asia and Australia the week after next, until mid-July and we don't get our dark sky back until late July in any case.

Jeremy you never cease to amaze me! Totally awesome sketches and considering the time constraints, just a tremendous accomplishment! Then you go stun us all with an M51 sketch that is hypnotically beautiful.